In the midst of horrendous struggle, there is an awful temptation to reduce God to a set of methodological rules and rhetoric. It makes perfect sense. After all, do not our lives encourage such a mistake whenever we struggle with something? Preachers preach about “seven steps to a turn around”. Weight loss experts compose diet and exercise plans that culminate in certain steps. The scientific method we learn about in school is all about steps. Our lives constant shove the importance of methodology into our faces. Is it, then, surprising that when we struggle spiritually we look for a comprehensive solution that will completely resolve our issue? Surely not. Don’t get me wrong, here. Steps are important, fundamentally. The Bible indicates that God himself is a God of order and steps and stages. However, it is easy to minimize the collosal importance that God is a person; thus, we must relate to him personally. We have to begin there. Not with steps. Not with methods. Not with theory; but, with the truth of who God is: a loving, personal Father who holds all power in his hands and is desperate for his children to know him fully and experience completely the magnificent transformation in store for all those who love him.
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September 2nd, 2005 at 12:58 pm
wow. This is so true…. How are you, friend?
September 2nd, 2005 at 9:51 pm
i wonder what people mean when they say “relate to personally”…not that i don’t agree that this is important. but it would be nice to hear someone explain this side of spirituality where it doesn’t sound as easy as 1-2-3. you don’t just wake up tomorrow morning deciding, Today I will be God’s friend. do you? it feels like there are steps here too. God is personal and loving and compassionate…but this side of our walk seems harder, even though it is the beginning. or is it? maybe it comes later with maturity. and now i’m babbling…i appreciate your openness, as always, Stephen. i didn’t mean to sound critical…just curious.
September 5th, 2005 at 8:29 pm
i miss you bro!
September 7th, 2005 at 11:21 am
I COMPLETLY understand what you are saying. It’s almost like we compartmentalize God…the goal should be to…say it with me… “think outside the box”. This is cliche, yet there is a box that far too many place God in- “TheGod Box” if you will. TheGodBox really isn’t fair; yes there are certainties from God, but with each person I talk with, I understand a new dimension of God’s love. I’ve discovered that there is absolutely NO limit to the love I have for God and vise versa. If there’s no limit, some sort of boundary line you could say, then why restrict God to a box, a box which is composed of nothing but restricting lines! I guess you could say that I am Anti-TheGodBox.